| Women in the childbearing years may need iron supplements to replace iron lost with menstrual bleeding; pregnant or breastfeeding women need more iron, folic acid, vitamin a, calcium, and calories but most of these can be obtained by properly adjusting the diet. Infants and young children need more vitamins and minerals because they are growing. Elderly or very inactive people usually eat less, and should particularly avoid foods high in calories and low in vitamins and minerals. Persons under inordinant stress or with physical or mental ailments need more protein and calories. |
Nicola Reavley
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 In a study done in 1997 researchers tested the effects of the retinyl palmitate form of vitamin a on leukoplakia of the larynx. The treatment period was five weeks and the doses used ranged from 90,000 meg RE per day (300,000 IU) to 270,000 meg (1.5 mil-lionlU) per day. Complete remission was observed in 15 out of 20 patients and partial response was seen in the remaining five patients. |
| Four cases of lung cancer and three cases of mesothelioma were observed in those in the vitamin a group, and six cases of lung cancer and 12 cases of mesothelioma in the beta carotene group. In the retinol group, there was also a significantly lower rate of death from all causes.9 When the researchers compared these results with those workers who had not taken part in the study they found that those taking part in the study had significantly lower death rates than non-participants. |
| Carotene: a plant pigment that is converted to vitamin a in the body and which also has antioxidant properties. Cation: a positively charged ion.
Celiac disease: a metabolic disease characterized by sensitivity to the wheat protein, gluten.
Cell: a very small organic unit that is composed of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a cell membrane. Cellulose: an indigestible carbohydrate found in plant cell walls. Cerebral: relating to the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): the fluid that flows through and protects the brain and spinal canal. |
| It is also necessary for transport of other nutrients such as vitamin a. The antioxidant enzyme, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, has been shown in laboratory experiments to inhibit the replication of HIV.29
AIDS patients may suffer from zinc deficiency, which may adversely affect immune function. In a 1995 Italian study, zinc sulfate supplements (200 mg per day for 30 days) were given to patients receiving the medication, azathioprine (AZT). Results showed stabilization in body weight and increases in CD4+ lymphocytes and the immune stimulating hormone levels. |
| A 1997 study done on HIV-positive pregnant women in New York State did not find a link between vitamin a levels and transmission of the vims.10
Beta carotene
Beta carotene levels have been shown to be deficient in HIV-positive patients.11,12 Research has shown that large doses of beta carotene may boost immune function. In a Yale University study done in 1995, researchers found that daily supplements of 60 mg beta carotene given to seven AIDS patients for aperiod of four weeks increased CD4+ lymphocyte cell counts. |
| However, vitamin a in high doses can cause toxic symptoms, and several women in this study had severe headaches during treatment, while several other women had milder side effects.
Vitamin E
Some research suggests that vitamin E levels may be lower in fibrocystic breast disease sufferers. In a 1985 double-blind, randomized dose-response study, 75 women with benign breast disease were treated for two months with placebo or vitamin E in doses of 150,300, or 600 IU per day. The results showed that vitamin E was significantly more effective than placebo. |
James Trefil, Joseph F. Kett, and E. D. Hirsch
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 For example, vitamin C is needed for the proper healing of wounds and broken bones; vitamin a helps the body resist infection. Some vitamins are so important that without them certain diseases or conditions could develop. For example, a deficiency of vitamin D may cause rickets, and a deficiency of vitamin B12 could tesult in a form of anemia. vocal cords Two folds of tissue located in the larynx that vibrate when air passes over them, producing the sound waves associated with talking and singing. vulva (vuL-vuh) The external organs of the female reproductive system. |
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
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 The most toxic vitamin is vitamin a, and even for this vitamin, you would have to take five times the recommended daily amount to suffer long-term problems.
Say that you take all you need for the day in pills and then follow a healthy diet. What is the downside? You will only be getting twice, or less, the recommended level of any vitamin or mineral if your diet duplicates what you are getting from your supplements. Your body can easily handle this. For each of the vitamins and minerals recommended, there is a biological rationale and a safety factor that is more than generous. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 To treat asthma you can try taking some or all of the following supplements, in addition to what is recommended in the Six Core Principles for Optimal Health:
• Vitamin C, 1,000 to 4,000 mg, three to four times a day (has antihistamine-like activity and supports the adrenal glands).
• vitamin a (preformed, not as beta-carotene), up to 50,000 IU a day in divided doses for up to two weeks to help heal mucous membranes and resist infection (do not take over
10,000 IU daily if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant).
• Vitamin B6, 50 to 100 mg three times a day. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Contribution of vitamin a to the oxidation resistance of human low density lipoproteins. Free Radic Biol Med 1995; 18: 401^09
90. Akerboom TPM, Sies H. Assay of glutathione, glutathione disulfide and glutathione mixed disulfides in biological samples. In: Jakoby W, ed. Detoxication and drug metabolism: conjugation and related systems. Methods in ervzymology, vol 77. New York: Academic Press. 1981: p 373-382
91. Peristeris P, Clark BD, Gatti S et al. N-acetylcysteine and glutathione as inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor production. Cell Immunol 1992; 140: 390-399
92. Greenspan HC. |
| Although vitamin a supplementation is an attractive treatment of RSV infections, due to its low cost, wide availability, and ease of administration, recent placebo-controlled trials are suggesting it may be of value only in the most severe cases. A placebo-controlled study of 180 children in Chile with RSV provided 50-200,000 IU of retinyl palmitate (according to age) within 2 days of admission.19 Supplementation resulted in no significant benefit, except for those children suffering from hypoxemia. |
Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, Assembly of Life Sciences National Research Council
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 They also reported that the consumption of foods rich in vitamin a (e.g., liver) or its precursors (e.g., carrots) were lower for cases than for controls. Kolonel and Winkelstein (1977) found no difference between cases and controls in exposure to cadmium from dietary sources. This lack of association is interesting in light of reports indicating that there are direct associations between prostate cancer and exposure to cadmium in occupational groups (Adams et_ al., 1969; Kipling and Waterhouse, 1967; Lemen et al. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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 With exposure to chemicals and the general stress-induced, free-radical toxin production, the antioxidant nutrients are also needed daily. vitamin a, beta-carotene, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc are all helpful for their protective functions.
Amino acids may be very helpful for busy executives on the go. A formula with a higher amount of tryptophan and less tyrosine and phenylalanine will be more relaxing, which may be particularly helpful when there is a lot of air travel. L-cysteine aids the body's detoxification processes, and can be added, more with travel. |
| It also destroys vitamin a and some B vitamins, such as thiamine. Its use is not allowed in treatment of meats. It is on the GRAS list, and reviews have found no apparent hazard. The healthy body can metabolize the reaction products of sulfur dioxide contained in foods. Even so, I recommend avoiding sulfur dioxide as much as possible.
Talc (magnesium silicate)—talcum powder. Talc is a silica chalk (see Silicates) that is used in coating and polishing rice and as an anticaking agent. It is also used externally to help dry the skin and genital areas. |
| In the body it is converted to vitamin a. Carotene is a yellow-orange pigment that is used primarily as a natural coloring agent in food manufacturing. It is employed to color butter, buttermilk, margarine, and cottage cheese. Carotene, mosdy as beta-carotene, is a useful additive. It is known to be a helpful antioxidant, possibly a cancer-preventing nutrient. It is a safe additive or supplement even in high dosages, where its only side effect is yellowish pigmentation of the skin.
Carrageenan (Irish moss extract)—ammonium, calcium, potassium, and sodium carrageenan. |
| The B vitamins are commonly added back into grain and cereal products, as is iron. vitamin a is used in margarine, D in milk, and C in fruit drinks, while iodine is added to table salt. Some of these additions are helpful, but eating the whole food is a better way to get the nourishment. The supplements most commonly added to foods are thiamine (Bn), riboflavin (B2), and iron. Next in use are niacin (B3), calcium salts, and vitamins D and A. According to what is lost during food processing, more pyridoxine (B6), magnesium, chromium, manganese, and others should be added back to foods. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 However, betacarotene is a better choice, since it is less toxic and is converted into vitamin a as the body needs it. Good food sources of betacarotene include apricots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, pumpkin, carrots, mangoes, peaches, and spinach. Betacarotene is included in most antioxidant formulas, and is also available as a single supplement.
Vitamin E—Vitamin E supplements have been shown to reduce symptoms of tension, headache, fatigue, depression, and insomnia associated with PMS.
Vitamin B6—B6 is a natural diuretic and helps to relieve bloating and other symptoms of PMS. |
Michael Lerner
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 At the time of publication in 1984 (based on the first 120 patients) those treated with BCG plus vitamin a were experiencing a "favorable" trend in relapse-free survival compared to those receiving BCG s alone. A subsequent unpublished study by Meyskens failed to support hi; early findings. But the effort was sufficiently intriguing to merit this brief review (Frank L. Meyskens, Jr., personal communication, 1993). |
Rebecca Wood
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 Chicory leaves are an excellent source of potassium and vitamin a and a good source of calcium.
Use Chicory greens are a popular salad vegetable and potherb. They may be blanched, braised, or roasted to reduce their bitter flavor. My favorite "spring tonic salad" dates to medieval Italy: wild chicory greens, some of the root, and some white shoots, seasoned with oil, vinegar, salt, and garlic. Couldn't be simpler, and couldn't be more delicious. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| Take 15,000 IU of vitamin a (not beta-carotene) daily for a week before surgery, and 50,000 IU the two days before and after surgery, then continue with 15,000 IU daily for about 10 days. (If you're pregnant, don't take more than 15,000 IU daily.) If you're having dental surgery you can rub it on your gums before and after surgery to greatly speed up the healing process.
• Take extra antioxidants, zinc and a B50 complex for two weeks before and after surgery. They will support your immune system and the healing process. |
Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, Assembly of Life Sciences National Research Council
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| There is some evidence that foods rich in vitamin a or its precursors and vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk.
REFERENCES
Acheson, E. D., and R. Doll. 1964. Dietary factors in carcinoma of the stomach: A study of 100 cases and 200 controls. Gut 5:126-131.
Adams, R. G., J. F. Harrison, and P. Scott. 1969. The development of cadmium-induced proteinuria, impaired renal function, and osteomalacia in alkaline battery workers. Q. J. Med. 38:425-443.
Alpert, M. E., M. S. R. Hutt, G. N. Wogan, and C. S. Davidson. 1971. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| Magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin a, carbohydrates, vitamin K. What Else to Take If You Take These Drugs
Take supplements of the above several hours apart from taking an aminoglycoside, and be sure to use a probiotic during and after a course of antibiotics. See natural alternatives at the end of the chapter for details. |
| The other important infection-fighting supplement is vitamin a. It is an immune stimulant that boosts thymus gland function and helps maintain healthy cells in your mucus membranes. You can take 10,000 to 30,000 IU daily for a week to help fight off an infection. (If you're pregnant don't take more than 10,000 IU daily.)
Your two most important infection-fighting minerals are zinc and selenium. There are a wide variety of lozenges available at your health food store that contain zinc, selenium and vitamin C. Pass on those with a lot of sugar. |
| Take high levels of vitamin a, 15,000 to 30,000 IU two times a day for three to five days only. Use proportionately less for children. (Use under 10,000 IU daily if pregnant.)
• Take vitamin C as much as you can without getting loose stools. If you get loose stools, cut back proportions until your eliminations are normal. Most people who are getting sick or are sick can tolerate up to 10,000 mg daily in divided doses.
• You can also take colloidal silver, 1 tsp. at first. Then 1 tsp. four times a day for adults—proportionately less for children. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
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 The normal differentiation of the cells of the cornea and conjunctiva is dependent on another metabolite of vitamin a, retinoic acid. Retinoic acid acts as a hormone and is involved in signal transduction. Retinoic acid signaling and signaling by other retinoids are mediated by two classes of nuclear receptors, retinoic acid receptors (RAR-alpha, -beta and -gamma) and retinoid X receptors (RXR-alpha, -beta and -gamma). The RARs and RXRs belong to the superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. |
| Semm retinol binding (RBP) protein is the principal carrier of all-frans-retinol, which comprises over 90% of serum vitamin a. RBP is found in semm in association with a cotransport protein called transthyretin or prealbumin. The mechanism of the transport of retinol into target cells is not known. Within cells, retinol and its metabolites are bound to retinoid-binding proteins in the cytosol and nucleus. |
| Comparison of riboflavin, vitamin a, and zinc status of Chinese populations at high and low risk for esophageal cancer. Nutr Cane. 1985; 7:131-143.
Wahrendorf J. Munoz N, Lu JB, et al. Blood, retinol and zinc riboflavin status in relation to precancerous lesions of the esophagus: findings from a vitamin intervention trial in the People's Republic of China. Cancer Res. 1988; 48:2280-2283.
Royal Jelly
TRADE NAMES
Royal Jelly is available from numerous manufacturers generically. It is also available in combination products. Branded products include Premium Royal Jelly (American Health). |
| Neither vitamin a nor vitamin D levels appear to be affected by phytosterol ingestion. There are no data yet available on the effect of phytosterols on other carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin), flavonoids or polyphenols.
OVERDOSAGE
No reports of overdosage.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Phytosterols are available in the form of fatty acid esters in some functional food products, including margarines, spreads and salad dressing. Unesterified phytosterols are available in capsules. Doses of the phytosterol esters range from 1.12 to 2.24 grams daily. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| These drugs can cause severe headaches when taken with high doses of vitamin a. Be sure to use a probiotic during and after a course of antibiotics. See the natural alternatives at the end of this chapter.
What Else to Take If You Take These Drugs Supplements of the above nutrients and probiotics.
Other Tips on These Drugs
Children under the age of eight should not be given these drugs.
During long-term therapy, your physician should periodically monitor your organ systems including kidney and liver functions and blood chemistry. |
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